The University of Nottingham has approved plans to close its music department, ending more than a century of university-level music education in the city.
Five music degree programmes will be withdrawn under the university’s Future Nottingham restructuring programme, while music-related research will be transferred to the School of Computer Science.
The decision comes amid a wider financial crisis at the university and ongoing industrial action by staff. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are striking until 11th December in protest over the university’s cuts, with further strikes possible in the new year.
The university unveiled its Future Nottingham programme in November 2025, proposing to suspend recruitment to music and modern languages courses. It cited falling demand and “significant financial challenges”, while affected departments were invited to put forward alternative proposals demonstrating their value to the institution.
The final business case, known as Future Nottingham 2, has now been approved by the university’s council. Staff in the affected departments were informed of the decision on 5th October.
The university has previously announced plans to cut up to 609 of its 7,363 full-time equivalent posts over three years. The latest projection is understood to have fallen to around 480 posts.
A university spokesperson said the decision reflected a wider change in demand for music degrees.
“A societal shift has significantly affected student demand for music degrees over recent years, with the downward trend in recruitment reflecting changing demographics and educational and career preferences,” they said.
The university said it needed to make difficult decisions based on student demand, the cost of running courses and competition from other institutions.
Dr Hannah Robbins, head of music at Nottingham, described the closure as a tragedy.
“Music at Nottingham has run for more than 100 years, and the department pioneered the study of music education in universities,” she said in a post on LinkedIn.
“It’s a tragedy to see such a heritage come to an end.”
The university’s music department currently lists 17 academics alongside Dr Robbins.
The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) also condemned the decision. Naomi McCarthy, the organisation’s senior policy and campaigns manager, called it “desperately disappointing”.
“University music departments are a vital part of the music education ecosystem, providing an essential talent pipeline into the industry as well as the next generation of music teachers,” she said.
McCarthy called on the Government to support university music departments and reverse cuts to funding for music and arts courses.
The university said music would nevertheless remain part of campus life. Extracurricular activities including choirs, orchestras, performances and other creative opportunities will continue through Lakeside Arts.
It also said its collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra would continue until 2029.
Meanwhile, music research will move to the School of Computer Science, where the university says there are opportunities for interdisciplinary work and external funding. Up to four new full-time posts are expected to be created in “research at the intersection of music, technology and innovation”.
The university said it remained committed to maintaining a “vibrant musical culture” despite withdrawing its degree provision.
For staff facing the closure, however, the decision marks the end of a department whose history stretches back more than a century.
